What possible, sick motive could have been involved here wasn't made clear.

Cops said the puppy refused to walk before being dragged down the middle of a street on Jan. 3. Witnesses said the canine was "leaving a blood trail," but the suspect continued to drag it, police said.

LAPD

The pooch had lacerations to its legs and stomach but was expected to make a full recovery, the department said.

James was charged last week with two felony counts of suspicion of animal cruelty, police said. He was jailed in lieu of $145,000 bail.